Classes at Symposium were held at the College, about a mile from the exhibit center where the quilts were hanging. So, I was only able to visit the show once to see the competition quilts, on my lunch hour.  It was a hurried visit with a dying camera battery, I managed to photograph some of the highlights.  Below are some of my favorites.

Belle Rouge by Ansa Beytenbach

This first place winner was nothing short of remarkable, from the design, to color use, to the quilting and binding.  Simply stunning!

Traditions with a Celtic Twist by Anna Williams

Anna Williams’ quilt above show exceptional workmanship and is heavily quilted.  One of the things that makes this quilt unique is the offset border on two sides only, showcasing the four different blocks in the quilt.  Another exceptional piece and a first place ribbon too!

Stan’s Flower Garden by Christine Singleton

Another first place winner, this miniature is incredible.  At first glance, one might think the above image is of a larger quilt, but no!  Look below at the image that shows the prize winning ribbon for size comparison.

Stan’s Flower Garden for size comparison with ribbon

Pretty amazing!

Land Use Change in Canterbury by Donna Rowan

This triptych is unusual and effective in presenting the story that the quiltmaker tells in fiber.  The use of earthtone hand-dyed fabrics also is effective and the heavy quilting complements the pieces.  Another first place quilt.

The Devil’s Marbles (Karlu Karlu) by Veronicah Hampton

Although this quilt was not awarded a prize, I love the way the piece reflects the title of the quilt.  The use of color, combining the muted earth tones with the bright blues of the sky and the brilliant orange/reds of the Jurassic and Triassic periods make this a fabulous quilt!

Set Adrift by Sonya Prchal

Who could not instantly fall in love with this whimsical quilt!  The dog positively radiates the sadness of being alone in the boat.  It won a first place ribbon.

The Comfort of Stitch by Lee-ann Newton

And, the grand prize winner and winner of the Viewer’s Choice for the show is one amazing quilt!   Although I have shown this in an earlier post, I think it’s worth another look.   Lee-Ann found an old quilt in a thrift store and then painted over the surface of the quilt.

I wish I would have had more time to spend with the amazing quilts at the New Zealand Symposium 2013.  These are but a few of the many that were exhibited.  Stay tuned for a different style of quilts tomorrow . . .

Jan Omnet, New Zealand

The first class that I taught was the two-day Sensational Stars where each student designs and stitches her own unique circular star.   This was a terrific class where each and every student finished their initial design, and some even got their borders done!

Kay Smart, New Zealand

What’s so refreshing about this class is how each design turns out so differently even though we all begin with the same basic exercises.

Lyn Saxby, Australia

Most of Lyn’s fabrics were hand-dyed lending to the strong graphic design of this star.

Fire Drill

Never a dull moment in quilting class.  Just after lunch on day two, there was a fire drill.  Now, I was certain that it was not for real, but I was wrong! Large tea urns were provided in the hallways outside the classrooms so we could enjoy hot beverages throughout the day.  One of them overheated and the alarms were for a real event!  Note that, although it is the middle of winter in this image, it is actually rather warm for a mountain town!

Peggy Morrison, New Zealand

I love the way Peggy used a dark background for her star.  It really makes the colors “POP”!

Michelle Chan, Australia

Michelle used traditional types of fabrics in her star.  Notice how the red outer trim really sets off the star and distinquishes it from the background.

Sensational Stars Class

My students were the STARS of this class!  I am so proud of each one and I cannot believe that everyone finished the inner star of their design.  I wish that I had enough room in this post to highlight each and every one individually.  You ladies are simply sensational!

Diane Anderson, Gail, Melissa Gelder

On my first full day in Auckland, Diane and Melissa took me on a tour to Northland, checking out quilt shops, cafes, and magnificent scenery.  It wasn’t long before we stopped for morning tea, replete with sweets to provide energy for our outing.

Morning Tea

It was here that I was able to enjoy my most favorite ever coffee, a flat white.  It seems to be a New Zealand/Australia espresso drink that is not available here in the U.S.  Note that each of our sweets is divided into thirds.  We shared!

Pukeko Patch

Along the way we stopped at the Pukeko Patch outside of Warkworth which was closed.  Actually, the shop was open, but we had driven instead to the owner’s home in the countryside!  Duh!  So we never did get to visit that shop.  I am sure it is wonderful. And, FYI, the shop is located in the community of Warkworth – right near where we had coffee.

The Apple Basket

Our next stop was the Apple Basket Patchwork Shop, in Kaiwaka, where we were warmly welcomed.  They publish a series of New Zealand style patterns for birds and flowers and the shop carries both the patterns and  kits that include the fabrics.  Be sure to check them out.

Kerry Glen and Quilt

Our final destination was the home of Kerry Glen, owner of Tulis Textiles. “Tulis” is an Indonesian word that means to write.  Although Tulis Textiles is located in Kerry’s home in Marsden Point, right on the water, she is open for business by appointment.  Most of her business is conducted online and she has a substantial website.

Melissa shops

Kerry travels regularly to Bali where her collection of batik fabrics are dyed with her stamps and to her specifications, so she can maintain the quality, versatility and vibrancy of her fabrics. She stocks over 500 batik fabrics in a wide range of colors.

Ikat Fabrics from Indonesia

Kerry also stocks a unique selection of hand-selected Ikats!  It was so very hard to decide.  We also enjoyed a lovely lunch with views over the sea, but all too soon is was time to pack up our parcels and head back to Auckland.  My April 2014 Quilting and Textile Tour of New Zealand will include tea and shopping at Kerry’s Home!  I think you will love her fabrics.

Guest Blog by Michele Hymel

In a recent post, Gail described how she was inspired by the black spruce trees in Alaska to create her Little Trees quilts.  And she asked “What inspires you?”

Like, most of us, I imagine, our quilting journey has taken many interesting twists.  I started out making quilts from patterns and the fabric was my inspiration.  Of course, lots of the fabric I bought had large scale prints and ended up as the backing for quilts.  Then I took my first class from Gail and learned that I didn’t need to use patterns – I could design my own quilts.  That was a very liberating moment!  This is the first quilt I made using Gail’s techniques:

Goose is Loose

I’ve always loved the beach, the ocean and sea life, so that became my inspiration for these two quilts.  I’m a scuba diver, so I’ve been lucky enough to see many amazing underwater sights.

On Golden Pond

Leave Only Bubbles

I learned how to transfer photos to fabric, and recorded my trips in quilts.

Costa Rican Cart

I was fascinated by the painted carts in Costa Rica and attempted to replicate one in fabric.  Unfortunately it doesn’t look as three-dimensional as it should.  Many of the squares in the cart are photo transfer images from our trip.

Down Under – close-up

My son and I visited Australia and that inspired this quilt.  I made one for him too, with photo transfer images from the trip.

Then, my son and his wife had our first grandbaby! Now, he is my inspiration for making quilts.  He is a very well-quilted little boy, since his other grandmother also quilts.  This is the quilt I am making for his second birthday.  It’s in progress.  Borders will be added.

Down on the Farm

So I repeat the question that Gail asked – What inspires you? Tell Gail your story.

I am always amazed at the beautiful quilts that students make when they take my classes or use my patterns.  I recently received this note from Tama Trussoni:

Gail,

I contacted you last year about a question on this wall hanging and you asked if I would send a picture when finished. Well here it is. I did not intentionally change the middle. I accidentally switched the fabrics on the ends. I didn’t have any extra to rip it out and start over so I just left  it.

Thanks for the great pattern.  Tama Trussoni

The pattern is Rueda de la Fortuna (Wheel of Fortune) which is in my third book, Flying Colors.  Tama, you did a wonderful job, and the transposition of fabrics turned out beautifully.  Here is my version of this quilt.

Two Stars in Progress

A quick trip to Alpharetta, Georgia to visit the Chattahoochie Evening Stars rounded out the month of June.  I taught the one-day Scrumptious Star Stitchery class that focuses on Paper Foundation Piecing techniques.  Some of the students finished several of the triangle blocks.  Two are featured above.

All Points Together

What fun we had!  This group is amazingly friendly and a joy to be with.  Not a whiner in the bunch!  At the end of the day, we combined 8 single units made from different fabric combos into one star!  Looks good!

Becky Windle completed all of her sections

In this class, there are always a couple of students that finish all of their blocks.  This is the arrangement that Becky Windle created!  I love how all the stars turn our differently even though everyone is using the same pattern.

Show and Tell

One of the fun things about this trip is that, because I taught class on Sunday but didn’t lecture until Monday night, Show and Tell was really amazing.  Look how much they all got done!

By days two and three of class, students were making good progress.  Several of the designs included themes based on the aurora borealis, or the northern lights.  Here Debby paper foundation pieces one of the sections of her design.

Wall Art that reflects the mountain nearby

It is impossible to not be inspired at this incredible facility, where every small detail has been attended to, like:

Sea Star Art

this strategically placed, dried sea star nestled among the roots of the tree, and:

Peace Rock

this small design in the sand beneath the wall art.  Art is everywhere, strategically positioned to surprise the viewer and inspire all who pass through the doors of Stillpoint Lodge.

Janis and Debby

Janis and Debby were table partners, good friends enjoying the class and inspired by our beautiful surroundings.

Kathy completed a goose strip

Kathy was one of the first to complete a goose strip.

Janis and her Tiny Tree

Soon afterward, Janis completed the tiny tree in her design.

Juvenile Bald Eagle

And, all the while, this juvenile Bald Eagle watched rom outside, but also scanned the panorama spread before him/her, a place he called home.

Michele

Michele, when not taking photos, spent time working on hand applique for the quilt she is making for her grandson, Henry.

The Man in the Tree

While the Man in the tree looked on through the window.

Stay tuned . . .

Flying Colors – Day one

There’s nothing I love more than teaching a multi-day class.  In Flying Colors, we begin by learning about drawing tools that take the ‘scare’ out of that blank piece of paper.  This class was sponsored by Maret Anderson at Seams Like Home in Anchorage, Alaska.  Maret offers this as an annual retreat with a different teacher each year.  It is a delightful getaway from the hubbub of our urban lives.

Drawing Demo

Using easy techniques, students move on to working on their original designs.  The facilities at Stillpoint Lodge are spacious and the views spectacular.

Drawing Day 1

It is impossible not to be inspired here.  Students spend the first day working on their drawings.

Everyone Draws

The designs ranged from simple to complex.  Some brought ideas and images with them to class, while others had a blank palette waiting to be filled.

Dining Hall with Melanie Janis and Linda

Delicious gourmet meals arrived three times daily, featuring the local seafood and greens grown in the Stillpoint garden.  Our every comfort was attended to so we could focus on our projects.

Stay tuned . . .